Brassiere



Sept. l5, 1970 E. CHILD BRAssIERE Filed May I5, 1,968

United States Patent O 3,528,430 BRASSIERE Elaine Child, New Haven, Conn., assignor to Flexnit Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 3, 1968, Ser. No. 726,419 Int. Cl. A41c 1/14 U.S. Cl. 12S-465 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Brassiere having a frame at least partially encircling the bust.

This invention relates generally to brassieres and, more particularly, to brassieres having a frame at least partially encircling the bust.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide brassieres for supporting the bust which are constructed and arranged to prevent the bust from slipping out of the cup at the outer edges and bottom.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, is to provide such brassieres without the use of wires or bones.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such brassieres wherein the bust is outlined with a definitive firm material.

Yet still further, another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is to provide such brassieres with a frame for the cup which will not roll up at the underbust area.

Yet still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such brassieres having a bottom and encircling frame for the bust which is constructed and arranged to provide alternating firmness and stretch to adjust to the wearers needs.

Yet still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing objects, is the provision of such brassieres which are comfortable to wear.

Another and yet further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such brassieres constructed and arranged for self-adjustment to ligure control.

Yet still further, it is an additional primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to provide such brassieres which are economical to manufacture, durable in use and capable of sustaining repeated washing without deterioration.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such brassieres which provide improved support and molding of the bust.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated in improved brassieres constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The present invention will be better understood and objects and important features other than those speciiically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention and what is presently considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modilications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be specifically reserved, especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of an improved brassiere constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of one cup of the garment illustrated in the preceding figure, viewed from the interior thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated an improved brassiere constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 10. The brassiere or garment 10 is shown and illustrated as a bandeau-type brassiere, that is, a brassiere having a pair of bust cups 12 permanently aiiixed together at the front center of the garment by means of an underbust band assembly 14, a pair of back band portions 16, a separable and adjustable fastener assembly 18 for connecting the back band portions 16 together generally centrally of the wearers back, and a pair of shoulder strap assemblies 20. However, it is to be expressly understood that this is for exemplary purposes only and that the invention is equally applicable to substantially any type of brassiere, such as, Without limitation, strapless brassieres, backless brassieres, strapless and backless brassiere, front opening brasieres, longline brassieres, corselettes, corsets, maternity brassieres, nursing brassieres, padded brassieres, and the like.

Accordingly, the cups 12 may be of substantially any desired construction and may, for example, be of generally conical configuration fabricated of a plurality of panels. Moreover, the cups 12 may comprise a plurality of layers such as exterior lace panels chosen to provide aesthetic appeal and interior panels chosen to provide comfort against the wearers skin. The cups 12 may comprise an upper exterior panel 22 and a pair of lower exterior inner and outer panels 24 and 26, respectively, all fabricated of a decorative lace, or the like. The inner and outer lower exterior panels 24 and 26 may be secured together, as by means of stitching along generally vertically disposed seams 28. The bust cups 12 may each further comprise an upper interior panel 30 underlying the upper exterior panel 22 and having a similar configuration and a pair of inner and outer lower interior panels 32 and 34, respectively, underlying and having configuration similar to the inner and outer lower exterior panels 24 and 26, respectively. The inner and outer lower interior panels 32 and 34 may be secured together as by stitching, or the like, along generally vertically extending seams 36. All of the panels may be secured together, as by means of stitching, or the like, along generally horizontally extending seams 38. The upper interior panel 30 may, for example, comprise netting and the inner and outer lower interior panels 32 and 34 may, for example, compirse a generally soft surfaced material, such as a knitted material having one surface thereof napped. For example, the napped surface of the lower interior panels 32 and 34 may be disposed adjacent the exteior panels 24 and 26. Edge binding, of a plain, fancy, napped, felted, padded, or the like variety 40 may extend along the upper margin of the cups 12 and be secured thereto, as by means of stitching 42.

The underbust band assembly 1-4 may similarly comprise a plurality of panels. For example, the underbust band assembly 14 may comprise overlapping, similarly configured exterior and interior center front panels 42 and 44, the interior center front panel 42, for example, comprising netting and the exterior center front panel 44 comprising decorative lace. Preferably, the center front panels 42 and 44 are of a non-stretch, firm variety to function as an anchor for the body-encircling tensions developed in the garment. The center front panels 42 and 44 may be of generally diamond con-figuration having upper edges 46 corresponding to and secured with the periphery of the cups 12, as by means of stitching, or the like. The underbust band assembly 1-4 may further comprise generally trapezoidal configured undercup panels 48, fabricated, for example, of elastic material which is elastic in at least the horizontal direction. The undercup panels 48 may be secured with the lower periphery of the bust cups 12, as by stitching along seams 50; with the center front panels 42 and 44, as by stitching along seams 52; and with the back band portions 16, as by means of stitching along seams 54.

Back band portions 16 may be of substantially any desired construction and may, for example, be fabricated of elastic material which is elastic in at least a generally horizontal or body-encircling direction. The back band portions or panels 16, in addition to being secured with the undercup panels 48 may be secured with the periphery of the cups 12, as by means of stitching along seams 56. An elastic band or edging 58 may be provided extending along the lower edge of the underbust band assembly 1-4 and back band portions 16. An elastic band or edging 60 may be provided extending along the upper edges of the back band portions 16. The bands or edgings 58 and 60 may be secured with the underlying panels in substantially any manner, as by means of stitching, or the like and may be provided on the interior surfaces thereof with, for example, flocking, felting, napping, or the like.

The shoulder strap assemblies 20 may comprise shoulder straps 62 secured with the upper edge portions of the back band portions 16, as by means of stitching and adjustable fasteners 64 cooperating therewith and connected, as by means of folded strap portions 66, with the upper edge portions of the bust cups 12.

As heretofore pointed out, the present invention may provide means, such as a frame 68 outlining each bust cup with a definitive firm material to prevent the bust from slipping out of the cups at the bottom and outer edges. Such frames may preclude roll-up at the underbust region, act as an additional anchor against the body, press against the body and preclude compression of the bust in wearing of the garment and be constructed and arranged with alternating firmness and stretch to adjust to the wearers needs and figure, particularly during breathing and various rib and torso movements and measurements.

The frame 68 may, for example, comprise stiifening means, such as a layer or panel of firm material 70. The panel 70 may be fabricated of substantially any material which will provide the requisite firmness while yet being sufficiently flexible to adjust to the contour of the body and be comfortable in use. Yet further, the stilening panel 70 should preferably comprise a material capable of withstanding repeated washings, without deterioration. The stiifening layer 70 may, for example, comprise a metal, plastic, compressed or cemented fibrous material, rubber, leather, or the like. While the panel 70 may be secured in position in substantially any manner, as by means of an adhesive, or the like, preferably the panel 70 may comprise a material of sufficient softness, such as a polyethylene plastic, which may be cut and secured with conventional fabric working apparatus, such as fabric cutters and sewing machines.

The frames 68 may be of generally scalloped configuration, having, for example, a scalloped edge 72 which enables inter-action between the frame and the underlying elastic panel to provide for alternating firmness and stretch to enable the garment to adjust to the wearers needs. In other Words, the bust encircling frame 68 may be shaped so that it will tighten against the body when tensioned from the back of the garment and so that stretch will be utilized in all concave shape portions and that all convex shape portion curves thereof will press against the body, but not against the bust when tensioned from the back of the garment. Furthermore, at least one of the convex curved portions may be continued to the bottom of the brassiere frame or edge 58, as indicated at 74 to prevent roll-up of the garment and to act as an additional anchor against the body.

The center front panels 42 and 44, as heretofore pointed out, are preferably fabricated to provide nonstretch characteristics to provide a region adapted to enable anchoring of the frames 68. As heretofore pointed out, at least a portion of the back band 16 is preferably elastic, at least in the generally horizontal or body encircling direction.

A padding layer 76, comprising, for example, felt or felted or napped material may be secured with the interior surface of the stiffening panels 70 to provide a soft, comfortable bearing against the body. Yet further, edging 78 may be provided extending along the periphery of the cups 12 and the frames 68, as shown, to provide a smooth, non-irritating edging thereat.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the undercup panels 48 may be secured with the cup forming panels, as by means of seams 80 and the underbust assembly 14 subsequently fabricated and secured together, as by means of seams 82, 84, 86 and 88, `as shown in FIG. 3.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of a preferred embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the claims hereto appended.

What is claimed is:

1. In a brassiere having a pair of breast supporting cups and a band fabricated of material which is elastic in at least a horizontal direction extending generally along the lower edge portion thereof for disposition in torso-encircling relationship around a lwearer to support and position said cups, the improvement comprising supporting frame means of rm, inelastic yet flexible material having portions of reduced width extending along the upper edge portion of said band subjacent the lower margin of each of said cups for retaining the breast tissue within said cups and thereby enhancing the contours thereof and portions of increased width radiating generally outwardly and downwardly of said cups for retaining said band smoothly against the torso even in the absence of large elastic forces while precluding roll-up thereof and means securing said frame means with said band forprecluding relative movement therebetween while enabling the portions of said band immediate said increased width portions to stretch and elongate substantially unhindered so that articulation and movement are substantially unencumbered.

2. Brassiere defined in claim 1 wherein the lower peripheral edge of said frame means comprises alternating convex and concave portions.

3. Brassiere defined in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises stitching extending substantially about the periphery of said frame means.

4. Brassiere defined in claim 1 wherein said portions of increased width extend substantially entirely across said band.

5. Brassiere defined in claim 1 further comprising nondistensible center front panel means secured with said band and the adjacent edges of said iframe means so that excessive relative rotation and discomfort is pro cluded.

6 6. Brassiere dened in claim 1 wherein the lower pe- References Cited ripheral edge of said frame means comprises alternating UNITED STATES PTENTS convex and concave portions, and wherein said securing means comprises stitching extending substantially about 2,992,646 7/1961 WFmberg 12S-465 the periphery of said frame means, and wherein said 3,372,698 3/1968 Gmgras 12S-469 portions of increased width extend substantially entirely 5 3,378,012 4/1968 Schwartz 12S-477 across said band and further comprising non-distensible AD L center front panel means secured with said band and the E E M' EAGER Pnmary Exammer adjacent edges of said frame means so that excessive U.S. C1. X.R. relative rotation and discomfort is precluded. 10 12S-476, 494 

